Modern Vespa

I assume that ultimately the only engine sizes will be 50/150/300?? Other than engine size, what other differences are there between the GTS 250 and the new 300???

Some minor cosmetic differences, such as instrument cluster, vents on engine cowl, "running" light, etc. Biggest difference is that the Super does not have the fold down rear rack that the GTS does. That alone is the reason that I will not be trading in my GTS for a 300.

+1

Also, the 300s, like the 250 Supers, have powder-coated wheels and shocks (the shocks kinda look like Bitubo's but they aren't, just stock shocks coated red for visual purposes). The seat is also different - more of a sport/racing inspired seat.

But like volosong said, basically just cosmetic stuff. I like the way they look, but what it offers just isn't enough for me to get rid of my GTS.

I like the looks of the 300 very much but the lack of a standard equipment rear rack and fewer features in the speedo/display panel turns me off.
I would definitely NOT be a candidate for purchasing a 300. (But, I think the dealers will have no problem selling them).

The benefits of an extra 34 cc's and a little more torque is not enough of a motivator for me to take the $$$$ hit that I would have to take to make a switch. Besides, we like our GTS' A LOT!

Well, at least for 2009 - the GTS250 is still available, and available in more colors (The Super is still only coming in black and white). I think in Italy you can get the Super in red now, so maybe that will come into the US as one of those mid-year color additions/changes that they seem to like to do, maybe it won't - thats just speculation on my part.

GT200 has been finally discontinued for the US market. I think we were one of the last few still selling the GT.

What about parts and shops that can fix the 250 Super going into the future?

Say I bang up that nice "vented" cowl and need a new one with a 250 badge on it...or something specific to the engine blows?

Same here. Although, I'm after a GTV, so who am I to talk about the dash lacking features... I've sat on a couple of 250 Supers, and the seat just doesn't do it for me. Looks really great, but I'd end up switching it out if I had one. I will probably end up test riding one at some point, just for the hell of it. After I've broken in my own scoot.

I'm waiting for the lime green GTS super-est in 2010. You know, 350 cc - 13 inch rear wheel ... the 300 is simply not good enough to replace my dragon red, corbin-ed, leo vinced GTS !

There's nothing particularly special about the Super that makes shops unable to fix it... Is the badge really that important? I've removed all of mine, so maybe I'm not a good judge of such things. Regardless, if you need a new frame, it's not going to come with a badge on it. It's going to be a bare frame. The 250 and the 300 are identical in that regard. It's the same engine as the GTS. I repeat, it's the same engine as the GTS. I repeat, it's the same engine as the GTS.

Curious, why didn't the Super seat do it for you? I'm used to the GTV seat and like it. Have sat on some regular 250's and liked the seat as well.

I like my GTS for now and hope to get a few mores years out of it. Who knows what goodies will be awaiting me in 2011 when I want to get a new scooter. But for now it's fun to watch the incremental evolution of the Vespa line. What I see for now is that I like the instrument cluster on the 300. I wish they would have put it on the 250S. The seat on the 250S is stiffer than the stock GTS seat but given time it could break in to be a very comfy seat I do like the new seat design. The rest of the design changes black wheels side vents I'm pretty ambivalent about.